CARY COUNCIL APPROVES LAND USE CHANGE FOR PROPOSED PUBLIX PROPERTY

Despite neighbors’ uncertainty about what could be in their backyards one day, the Cary Town Council approved an amendment to the town’s land use plan that could pave the way for a new shopping center with a Publix in western Cary.

This 21-acre tract of land has stirred up controversy in recent months because the Sembler Company, a Florida developer, wants to build a Publix-anchored shopping center called Amberly Village there.

Still, with Thursday’s vote, a Publix may never be built there. The council may not approve the rezoning to allow for the Amberly Village project. The rezoning case is not expected to go before the council for a couple of months.

“I think we can do much better than your traditional shopping center here,” Councilman Don Frantz said. “I just want to make sure the applicant knows we are not looking for your typical big box, sea-of-asphalt shopping center. We are looking ...